Toronto FC lead all clubs with four call-ups, losing Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry, Kyle Bekker, and Jonathan Osorio to the Canada squad that will meet in Oxnard, California for a ten-day training camp starting on Wednesday. The Vancouver Whitecaps Russell Teibert and goalkeeper Simon Thomas round out the MLS contingent.

Overall, interim head coach Colin Miller went with a much younger squad than the one that failed to exit the group stage in the 2011 Gold Cup. Established veterans like D.C. United’s Dwayne De Rosario, the Montreal Impact’s Patrice Bernier, and PSV Eindhoven midfielder Atiba Hutchinson were all left off the current 22-man squad. Meanwhile, ten of the 22 players were born in 1990 or later.

Though he is currently without a club, former TFC and FC Dallas midfielder Julien de Guzman was included on the team. Canada’s first Gold Cup match is July 7 against Martinique at the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California.

What do you make of the roster? Surprised that DeRo and Bernier were left off? How do you see Will Johnson performing for his country?

21 Responses to Timbers’ Johnson headlines Canada Gold Cup roster

Agreed. And at his age, this is a perfect time for Canada to move beyond him. He won’t be there for 2018 qualifiers. Sadly, I just don’t see many players Canada can rely on like they have DeRo. I just hope he gets a proper sending off from Canada in a friendly.

The roster seems to be built in mind with not actually winning the tournament but using it to start developing the core of young players who are going to have to lead the team through qualification next world cup. It’s a much more long term approach for Canada.

yup, they have been doing that for a while now at all of the Senior Friendlies, U23 & U20 games.

McKenna, Friend, Salteri, DeRo, J.DeGuzman, Bernier, Atiba, etc where all part of the past generation and everyone that wears a Canada jersey for now on is in the running for 2018 qualification. They still look very week but hopefully a few players emerge over the next few years and start to put together their core group.

I wouldn’t call it an important stretch. Portland is playing @Columbus, vsLA, @Philly, @San Jose in July. The Galaxy game at home is important but they could lose Gonzalez and Donovan for that game as well.

Mexico, Panama, Canada, Martinique. This is a decent group, but if Canada can pull 3 points out of its first two games, then they are going to be in the mix on the last day of group play. Doesn’t seem insurmountable.

The decision to leave Hutchinson was not out of wanting to play a younger squad. He’s clearly one of the best, if not the best, Canadian soccer player right now… he’s out of contract and probably declined an invite (as did Andre Hainault) as he looks to be healthy, not risk injury before signing a contract. You have to tip your hat to players like De Guzman who show up even when out of contract.

Lucas Cavallini declined as well… guess he’s preparing for next season, or whatever